Training Chopsticks

ABSTRACT

Training chopsticks including a lower chopstick having a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, an upper side, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; an upper chopstick having an upper side, a lower side, a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; at least a first arm having proximal and distal ends, the at least first arm&#39;s proximal end being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower chopstick; a longitudinally extending slide track fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick; and a pin fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first arm&#39;s distal end, the pin operatively engaging the longitudinally extending slide track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Where a pair of chopsticks is properly manually held for food handlinguse, the upper chopstick or the chopstick furthest from the user's bodyis typically grasped by the thumb, index finger, and middle finger ofthe user's hand. Such fingers' manipulation of the upper chopstickangularly moves the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstickin the manner of the jaws of food grasping pincers or tongs. Such fingeractuated motion alternately increases and decreases an acute angleformed between the upper chopstick and the lower chopstick. Duringnormal and proper chopsticks usage, other motions of the upper chopstickwith respect to the lower chopstick are preferably limited and closelycontrolled.

During proper chopstick usage, upper and downward motions of the upperchopstick with respect to the lower chopstick are preferably closelylimited. Also, during proper chopstick handling and use, rolling motionsof the upper chopstick about the upper chopstick's longitudinal axis arepreferably limited. Also, during such usage, longitudinal and oppositelylongitudinal motions of the upper chopstick along or parallel with thelongitudinal axes of the upper and lower chopsticks are preferablylimited. Coordination of such limited motions of the upper chopstickwith respect to the lower chopstick while executing angular motions forfood grasping is often difficultly learned by a novice chopstick user.

The instant inventive training chopsticks assist and accelerate a novicechopstick user's ability to properly manually hold chopsticks byproviding, among other modifications, specialized components at an armend juncture which interconnects the chopsticks.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

First structural components of the instant inventive training chopstickscomprise a lower and an upper chopstick, each such chopstick having alongitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal, an upper side, a lowerside, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side. For convenience ofreference, the longitudinal ends of the inventive chopsticks areconsidered to be the chopsticks' relatively narrow food contacting andgrasping ends.

A further structural component of the instant inventive trainingchopsticks comprises at least a first arm having proximal and distalends. In a preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the at least firstarm is fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower chopstick,the at least first arm generally extending upwardly therefrom. In suchembodiment, the chopsticks and the at least first arm are composed ofplastic.

In a preferred embodiment, the instant inventive chopsticks comprise atleast a first slide track. Where the inventive chopsticks incorporate aslide track component, the slide track is preferably fixedly attached toor formed wholly with the upper chopstick. The slide track is suitablyconfigured as a longitudinally elongated channel which extends into andopens at the upper chopstick. The opening of the least first slide trackis preferably oriented to face in a direction selected from the groupconsisting of downwardly, upwardly, laterally, and oppositely laterally,the opening being positioned at a corresponding chopstick side. Thechannel suitably comprises a through channel having oppositely facingopenings at opposite sides of the upper chopstick.

In a suitable alternative embodiment, the longitudinally extending slidetrack component may comprise at least a first slide ridge, and, upon theselection of a ridge configuration, preferably comprises an oppositelyextending pair of slide ridges. Where the slide ridge configuration ofthe slide track is adopted, the ridges among the pair of oppositelyprotruding ridges preferably extend longitudinally along opposite sidesof the upper chopstick.

Further structural components of the instant inventive chopstickscomprise mounting means which are fixedly attached to or formed whollywith the at least first arm's distal end. In a suitable embodiment, themounting means comprise at least a first pin or arm extension whosedistal end extends into the channel configured slide track. Where aslide track component is incorporated, such pin may be slidably moveablethere along in the longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal directions.Alternatively, where the slide track component is configured to includea longitudinally extending ridge, the mounting means component maycomprise a “C” bracket formed at the distal end of the at least firstarm, such bracket slidably receiving the upper chopstick's slide ridge.Where the slide track comprises the pair of oppositely protrudingridges, the mounting means may comprise a pair of “C” brackets whichopen toward each other for sliding receipts of such ridges.

Where the inventive chopsticks incorporate a slide track componentcomprising a pair of oppositely opening channels, and where suchchannels' inner ends do not communicate with each other, the mountingmeans may suitably comprise a pair of pins which oppositely extendtoward each other, such pin extensions being nestingly received by theslide channels. Alternatively, where such pair of channels communicatewith each other to form a through channel, the mounting means maycomprise a single pin or arm extension having a length sufficient toextend through both of such communicating channels and to oppositelyemerge at the opposite ends of such channel.

In a preferred embodiment, a provided slide track component comprises achannel which extends longitudinally along the upper chopstick and opensdownwardly at such chopstick's lower side, such channel presentinglateral and oppositely lateral interior walls. Where the slide trackcomponent includes such interior walls, a preferred pin configuration ofthe mounting means may advantageously present oppositely lateral andlateral walls which correspondingly face and may engage such channelwalls. Angled faces or facets of such pin's oppositely lateral andlateral walls may advantageously facilitate and limit rotary motions oryawing motions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lowerchopstick. A configuration of the pin's horizontal cross-sectional shapeto include a relatively wide middle section and relatively narrowlongitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends my advantageously allowsuch pin ends to function within the channel as rotation stops.

Similarly with the above-described horizontal cross sectional shape ofthe pin, the lateral cross sectional shape of the pin receiving channelmay be configured to present rotation facilitating and limiting faces orfacets. Where a channel configured slide track is provided, and wheresuch track constitutes a through channel having both upper and loweropenings, and where a pin configured mounting means extends through suchchannel, such channel may be advantageously configured to includerelatively laterally wide upper and lower openings and a relativelylaterally narrow middle portion. In such lateral cross section, anhourglass shape of the walls of the channel is advantageously provided.The hourglass configuration of such channel may advantageously allowlimited rolling motions of the upper chopstick about its longitudinalaxis.

In use of the instant inventive chopsticks, slide stopping surfacespresented at longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends of thepreferably provided slide track or slide tracks advantageously limitlongitudinal and oppositely longitudinal sliding motions of the upperchopstick with respect to the lower chopstick. Accordingly, such slidetracks and their associated slide stops may assist a novice chopstickuser in proper holding and manipulation of the upper chopstick byfacilitating a natural range of longitudinal and oppositely longitudinalupper chopstick motions.

Upward and downward motions and rolling motions of the upper chopstickwith respect to lower chopstick may be similarly advantageouslycontrolled at the engagement of the first arm's mounting means with theupper chopstick's channel or channel configured slide track. Forexample, to facilitate and limit relative upward and downward movementsof the upper chopstick, lugs having slide stopping channel edge engagingsurfaces may extend from the at least first pin at positionsrespectively overlying and underlying the upper chopstick. A smallvertical displacement of such lugs, i.e. a small displacement in excessof the vertical dimension of the upper chopstick, may advantageouslyfacilitate variability of the vertical position of the upper chopstickover the lower chopstick.

To facilitate and limit natural rolling and counter rolling motions ofthe upper chopstick about its longitudinal axis, the inner side walls ofthe upper chopstick's channel or channel configured slide track may beangled to include flared upper and lower openings.

To limit and control rotating and counter rotating motions of the upperchopstick with respect to the lower chopstick, second and third arms ora pair of rotation stopping arms may be fixedly attached to and mayextend upwardly from the oppositely longitudinal end of the lowerchopstick. Such arms suitably present laterally facing and oppositelylaterally facing rotation stopping surfaces or lands which engage theoppositely longitudinal end of the upper chopstick. The engagements ofsuch arms with the upper chopstick's oppositely lateral end mayadvantageously resist rotation of the upper chopstick and may assistwith maintenance of proper chopstick alignment. Such arms may suitablyalternatively extend from the upper chopstick for rotation stoppingengagements with the lower chopstick.

Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision oftraining chopsticks which incorporate structures as described above, andwhich arrange those structures in relation to each other in manorsdescribed above for the achievement of beneficial functions as describedabove.

Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instantinvention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review ofthe detailed description which follows and upon review of the appendeddrawings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to food handling chopsticks. More particularly,this invention relates to such chopsticks which incorporate specializedchopstick motion modifying structures adapted for training novicechopstick users in the proper handling and use of conventionalchopsticks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant inventive trainingchopsticks.

FIG. 2 is an oppositely lateral view of the training chopsticks.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the chopsticks of FIG. 1 , asindicated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is an alternative sectional view of the chopsticks of FIG. 1 , asindicated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 4 , asindicated in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 presents an alternate configuration of the structure of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 9 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 10 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 11 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 12 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 13 presents in perspective view and alternate configuration of theoppositely longitudinal end of the structure of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 presents a further alternative configuration of the structure ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 presents further alternative configuration showing inperspective view chopsticks including features of the chopsticks ofFIGS. 13 and 14 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular simultaneously to FIGS.1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive trainingchopsticks is referred to generally by reference arrow 1. The trainingchopsticks 1 comprise an upper chopstick 2 and a lower chopstick 4, suchchopsticks suitably being composed of durable plastic. The upperchopstick 2 has a longitudinal or forward end 6 and an oppositelylongitudinal or rearward end 8. Correspondingly, the lower chopstick 4has a longitudinal end 10 and an oppositely longitudinal end 12. Theupper chopstick 2 has lateral and oppositely lateral sides 22 and 24 andupper and lower sides 14 and 16. The lower chopstick similarly haslateral and oppositely lateral sides 26 and 28 and upper and lower sides18 and 20.

At least a first arm 30 is fixedly attached to or formed wholly with thelower chopstick 4, such arm 30 generally extending upwardly from thelower chopstick 4 toward the upper chopstick 2. Referring further toFIG. 4 , to avoid contact between the arm 30 and a user's thumb whilegrasping the chopsticks 1, the middle portion of the arm 30 ispreferably bowed oppositely laterally. The first arm 30 has a lower orproximal end 32 and a distal end 34, the proximal end 32 suitablyconnecting with the lower chopstick 4 at a wholly formed joint.

A specialized component of the upper chopstick 2 suitably comprises alongitudinally extending channel configured slide track which isreferred to generally by reference arrow 36. Referring simultaneously toFIGS. 1-5 , such component 36 may suitably comprise a longitudinallyextending or longitudinally elongated channel 38 d which has a loweropening 40 at the upper chopstick's lower side 16. Such channel 38 dsuitably extends upwardly into the interior matrix of the upperchopstick 2 to form a slide pin passage space. Where the channel 38 d islongitudinally elongated for service as a slide track, such channelconstitutes a longitudinal travel facilitating space.

The channel configured slide track 36 of FIGS. 1-5 suitably furthercomprises a second channel 38 u which has an upper opening 42 at theupper chopstick's upper side 14. As indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , theupper and lower channel components 38 u and 38 d of the upperchopstick's slide track 36 respectively have lower and upper ends whichcommunicate with each other, such channels 38 u and 38 d thereby forminga substantially upwardly and downwardly opening extending throughchannel 38.

A further structural component of the instant inventive trainingchopsticks comprises mounting means which are fixedly attached to orformed wholly with the at least first arm's distal end 34. Thechopsticks' mounting means component necessarily operatively engages theupper chopstick 2, and where a longitudinally extending slide track suchas slide track 36 is incorporated, such engagement is preferably at orin engagement with such slide track. As indicated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5 , the chopsticks' mounting means component may suitablycomprise a multiply faceted or multiple faced at least first pin 56,such pin suitably constituting an extension of and a distal portion ofarm 30. A proximal end or downward end of pin 56 is suitably fixedlyattached to or formed wholly with the distal end 34 of the arm 30, suchattachment thereby incorporating such pin as a component of the arm.

The at least first pin 56 is suitably to extend vertically andlaterally, the pin having a length sufficient for such extension to passcompletely through the channel 38 or 38 u, 38 d. As indicated in FIG. 4, pin 56 is preferably canted or angled laterally from its proximal endattachment at the distal end 34 of the arm 30. Where reference line 5extends through the lower and upper chopsticks 4 and 2, an acute angle“a” identifies such pin angle. Such angular cant “a” of the pin 56functions in cooperation with the oppositely lateral bow of the arm 30to prevent contact and interference between a user's thumb and thedistal end of arm 30. In the preferred embodiment such acute angle “a”is approximately 15 degrees.

Relatively forward or longitudinal motion of the upper chopstick 2 withrespect to the lower chopstick 4 is preferably restricted or limited bycontact of the oppositely longitudinal end or edge 57 of the pin 56 withthe longitudinally facing oppositely longitudinal wall 44 of the channel38. Upon such contact, such wall face constitutes and functions as alongitudinal motion stop. Relative longitudinal motions of pin 56 withinchannel 38 u, 38 d are stopped upon contact of the longitudinal end 55of the pin 56 with the oppositely longitudinally facing surface of thechannel's longitudinal end wall 46. Accordingly, the channel end wall 46functions as an oppositely longitudinal motion stop. In a preferredembodiment, a longitudinal elongated configuration of the channel 38, asdepicted, longitudinally separates such motion stops 44 and 46, andfacilitates a natural range of longitudinal motions of the upperchopstick 2 while preventing excess longitudinal motions. In a suitable,though less desired, configuration, the longitudinal dimension ofchannel 38 may only slightly exceed the longitudinal dimension of thepin 56, such sizing of channel 38 negating its slide trackcharacteristic, while facilitating chopstick pivoting and rotatingmotions.

To limit upward and downward motions of the upper chopstick 2 withrespect to the lower chopstick, downwardly and upwardly facing slidestopping surfaces 59 and 61 are suitably provided. Such stops suitablycomprise faces of laterally and oppositely laterally extending lugs orprotuberances 58 and 60 which are fixedly attached to or formed whollywith the pin 56. Protuberance 58 is positioned so that, upon extensionof pin 56 through channel 38, the protuberance 58 overlies the upperchopstick 2 and functions as a pin extraction stop. Correspondingly,protuberance 60 is positioned so that, upon such pin extension, theprotuberance underlies the upper chopstick 2 and functions as a pininsertion stop. The slide stopping surfaces 59 and 61 of protuberances58 and 60 respectively engage the peripheral edges of lips of channelopenings 42 and 40. Such channel edge engaging surfaces are preferablydisplaced away from each other along the length of the pin 56 a distancesufficient to provide a small travel gap 63. Such gap 63 advantageouslyallows a short range of natural upward and downward movements of theupper chopstick 2 away from and toward the lower chopstick 4, whilefacilitating natural food grasping pivoting motion of the upperchopstick. During such pivoting motions, the edges of channel openings42 and 40 in combination with their contacts with protuberance surfaces59 and 61 function as a rotary bearing. Accordingly, rotary bearing 40,42, 59, 61 pivotally connects the upper chopstick 2 to the distal end ofarm 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , it may be seen that the oppositely lateralside 24 of the upper chopstick 2 includes an oppositely laterallyextending protrusion or protuberance 7, such protuberance being alignedwith the slide track 36 and its connection with the distal end 34 of arm30. Protuberance 7 forms and provides an expanded surface area land 9which overlies the lower lug 60. The provision of protuberance 7 andland 9 advantageously allows the proximal phalange of a user's indexfinger to rest against the land 9 without contacting the lug 60.

To allow limited and natural rolling motions of the upper chopstick 2about its longitudinal axis, the lateral and oppositely walls 48 and 51of the through channel 38 or communicating channels 38 u, 38 d, arecanted to protrude inwardly and to form an hourglass cross-sectionalshape. The walls of the communicating channels 38 d and 38 u therebyadvantageously form roll facilitating pivot edges or apexes 50 and 52.Such apexes 50 and 52 allow limited chopstick rolling motions whileclosely limiting lateral and oppositely lateral movements of the upperchopstick 2 with respect to pin 56. Angles “b” designated in FIG. 5 arebounded by the lateral and oppositely lateral walls 48 and 51 of thechannel 38 and the lateral and oppositely sides of the pin 56. In thepreferred embodiment, such angles “b” are 29 degrees, facilitating 29degrees of rolling motion of the upper chopstick 2. Such angles “b” maysuitably be as great as 45 degrees.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-3 , the horizontal cross-sectionalshape of the slide pin 56 may advantageously configured to include arelative large or greatest lateral width at the pin's middle or betweenapex points 63 and 65, and to include relatively small or least laterwidths at the pins lateral and oppositely lateral ends 55 and 57. Suchconfiguration of the cross-sectional shape of the pin 56 may createlateral and oppositely lateral slide pin faces 62 and 64, and 64 and 68,which facilitate limited vertical axis rotating and counter rotatingmotions of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to the pin 56 and thelower chopstick 4.

In use of the inventive chopsticks 1, and assuming a configuration asindicated in FIGS. 1-5 , the lower chopstick 4 may be firmly grasped atthe cleft of the thumb and index finger of a novice chopstick user'shand, with the lateral aspect of the user's ring finger supporting thelower chopstick's lower side 20. The upper chopstick 2 is conventionallysimultaneously grasped and manipulated via contacts with the thumb,index finger, and middle finger of the same hand. During properchopstick use and handling, slight longitudinal and oppositelylongitudinal motions of the upper chopstick 2 with respect to the lowerchopstick 4 are normally experienced. Where channel 38 of the instantinventive chopsticks is configured as a longitudinally elongated slidetrack, the operative interconnection of the pin configured mountingmeans and the channel may advantageously facilitate and limit suchmotion.

Also, during the use of the chopsticks, excess longitudinal motion ofthe upper chopstick is stopped via contact between the channel'slongitudinally facing end wall 44 and the pin's oppositely longitudinaledge 57. Correspondingly, excess oppositely longitudinal motion of theupper chopstick 2 with respect to the lower chopstick 4 is stopped bycontact between the channel's oppositely longitudinally facing end wall46 with the pin's longitudinal edge 55.

Also, during the use of the chopsticks, a natural amount of rollingmotion of the upper chopstick about its longitudinal axis 2 isfacilitated by the approximate 29-degree angles “b” of the facetedsections of the side walls of the slide channels 38 u, 38 d, such anglesbeing defined above and below the channel's inwardly extending wallapexes 50 and 52.

Also, during use of the chopsticks, rotary or yaw motions of the upperchopstick 2 about a vertical axis and with respect to the lowerchopstick 4 is similarly facilitated and limited by the pin's angledfaces or surfaces 62, 64, 66, and 68.

Angular pitching and counter pitching food grasping and releasingmotions of the longitudinal end 6 of the upper chopstick 2 arefacilitated by the clearance gap 63 which is formed by a precisely sizedvertical displacement of vertical motion stopping faces 59 and 61 oflugs 58 and 60. Such gap 63 allows relatively unrestricted rotary motionof the upper chopstick 2 about a lateral axis to facilitate grasping offood at the chopsticks' ends 6 and 10 in the manner of pincers or tongs.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 5 and 6 , all structures depicted inFIG. 6 which are identified by a reference numeral having a suffix “A”are configured similarly with similarly numbered structures identifiedin FIG. 5 . In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6 , the chopsticksinclude, as is preferred, a slide track component, the slide trackcomprising a longitudinally extending channel 76 which has a downwardopening 77 at the lower side 16A of the upper chopstick 2A. Lateral andoppositely lateral protrusions 78 and 80 of the alternative pinconfigured mounting means 74 are captured within lateral and oppositelylateral channel extensions 82 and 84, such protrusions stopping downwardextractions of the pin 74 from the channel 76. Channel 76 may extendcommensurately with channel 38 of FIG. 3 , the longitudinal andoppositely longitudinal ends of the channel 76 similarly functioning asslide stops.

In the alternative configuration of FIG. 7 structures identified byreference numerals having the suffix “B” are configured similarly withsimilarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5 . In FIG. 7 'salternative configuration, a longitudinally extending channel configuredslide track 88, has a lateral side opening 90, such channel receiving apin configured mounting means 84. An enlarged distal or oppositelylateral end 86 of the pin 84 is captured within an enlarged channelsection 92, such channel section functioning as a slide stop whichresists lateral extractions of the pin 84 from channel 88.

The alternate configuration of FIG. 8 has common components identifiedby suffixes “C”. The FIG. 8 configuration mirrors the configuration ofFIG. 7 , including a slide track configured channel 98 which has anoppositely lateral opening 92. The laterally extending pin 94 of FIG. 8's alternative configuration has a distal end enlargement which iscaptured within an enlarged channel and 100.

In the alternate configuration of FIG. 9 , all structures identified byreference numerals having the suffix “D” are configured similarly withsimilarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5 . In FIG. 9 'sstructural alternative, a channel configured slide track 106 forms athrough channel having a lateral opening 108 and an oppositely lateralopening 110. Such channel 106 comprises a laterally opening channel 106l and an oppositely laterally opening channel 106 ol, such channelscommunicating with each other to form the through channel 106. A pinconfigured mounting means 102, extends substantially laterally andcompletely through channel 106, such pin being captured by the slidestopping face 111 of an enlarged pin head 104. The alternateconfiguration of FIG. 9 is intended as being representative of amirroring configuration (not depicted) wherein the pin componentoppositely enters channel 106 at the oppositely lateral opening 110.

In the further alternative configuration of FIG. 10 , all structuresidentified by a reference numeral having the suffix “E” are configuredsimilarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5 . Likethe through channel configured slide track of FIG. 9 , the channelconfigured slide track 114 of the FIG. 10 alternative has both a lateralopening 116 and an oppositely lateral opening 118. A pin configuredmounting means 112 extends substantially laterally and completelytherethrough. The lateral and oppositely lateral ends of pin 112 aresupported by forked arms 113 and 114 which are formed at the distal endof arm 34E.

FIG. 11 discloses a variant of FIG. 10 's alternative structuralconfiguration wherein laterally opening and oppositely laterally openingchannels 122 and 128 are separated by the interior matrix of the upperchopstick 2F, rather than communicating at their inner ends to form athrough channel. In the FIG. 11 structural alternative, the mountingmeans comprise oppositely laterally and laterally extending pins 120 and126 which are supported at the distal ends of forked arms 125 and 119.Such pin configured mounting means 120 and 126 extend oppositelylaterally and laterally into the lateral and oppositely lateral openings124 and 130 of channel configured slide tracks 122 and 128.

In the further structural alternative of FIG. 12 , all structuresidentified by reference numerals having the suffix “G” are configuredsimilarly with similarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 5 . Inthe FIG. 5 structural alternative, the slide track component of theupper chopstick 2G comprises at least a first slide ridge 132, andpreferably a pair of or lateral and oppositely lateral slide ridges 132and 138. Such ridges extend longitudinally along the upper chopstick 2G,and “C” brackets 134 and 140 formed at the distal ends of forked arms136 and 142 capture and slidably receive such ridges.

Referring to FIG. 13 , all structures identified by a reference numeralhaving the suffix “H” are configured similarly with similarly numberedstructures appearing in FIGS. 1-3 . In the structural alternative ofFIG. 13 , rotation stops are provided at the longitudinal ends 8H and12H of the upper and lower chopsticks 2H and 4H. Such rotation stopsresist excess relative rotary motions about a vertical axis of thechopsticks with respect to each other. Accordingly, such rotation stopshelp to assure proper food grasping alignments of the longitudinal ends6 and 10 of the upper and lower chopstick. In the FIG. 13 embodiment,such rotation stops comprise oppositely laterally and oppositelylaterally facing surfaces or faces 150 and 156 which are suitablyrespectively formed and supported at the distal ends 148 and 154 ofsecond and third arms 144 and 140. Such arms' proximal ends 146 and 152are suitably fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the oppositelylongitudinal end 12H of the lower chopstick 4H.

In FIG. 13 's alternate embodiment, the second and third arms 144 and140 are advantageously slightly bowed laterally and oppositely laterallyto cause the oppositely longitudinal end 8H of the upper chopstick 2H tobe urged into proper alignment as the upper chopstick 2H rotates in theclockwise direction (according to the view of FIG. 13 ) in the manner oftongs for food item grasping.

While the depicted configuration of the rotation stopping arms 140 and144 of FIG. 13 's structural alternative represent a preferredembodiment, such arms may be suitably alternatively mounted with theirproximal ends 146 and 152 formed wholly with the upper chopstick 2H. Insuch alternative configuration, such arms extend downwardly for rotationstopping contacts of faces 150 and 156 with the lateral and oppositelylateral sides of the lower chopstick 4H. Face 150 is preferably fixedlyattached to or formed wholly with the distal end 148 of lateral arm 144.Face 156 is oriented oppositely with respect to Face 150, such facebeing fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the distal end 154 ofthe oppositely lateral arm 140. The lateral displacement of faces 150and 156 is preferably closely fitted to the lateral width of the upperchopstick 2H so that, upon upward rotation of the oppositelylongitudinal end 8H of the upper chopstick, faces 150 and 156 may bearagainst such chopstick's lateral and oppositely lateral sides.Accordingly, faces 150 and 156 perform functions of establishing properchopstick alignments upon such oppositely longitudinal end rotation.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 14 , all structures identified bya reference numeral having the suffix “I” are configured similarly withsimilarly numbered structures appearing in FIG. 1-3 . In FIG. 14 'sstructural alternative, elastic band receiving channels 160, 164, and168 are respectively formed within wall protuberances 158, 162, and 166.The protuberance and channel combinations, 158, 160, and 162, 164, and166, 168 respectively receive and secure elastic loops or bands 170,172, and 174. Upon mounting of such bands within their band receivingchannels, a novice chopstick user may insert their index or first fingerthrough band 172, may insert their middle finger through band 170, andmay insert their ring finger through band 174. Thereafter, such bands170, 172, and 174 may advantageously provide the novice chopsticks useradditional mechanical support which assists in training proper chopstickholding.

Referring to FIG. 15 , all structures identified by a reference numeralhaving a suffix “J” are configured similarly with similarly numberedstructures appearing in FIGS. 1-14 . In FIG. 15 's structuralalternative, a substantially vertical channel 204 may be advantageouslyformed and presented upon the lateral side wall of pin 56J. During useof chopsticks adopting the alternative configuration of FIG. 15 ,channel 204 may serve as alignment indicia, or visual cue, which assistsa novice chopsticks user in properly holding the chopsticks. Thealignment channel 204 is preferably positioned at an approximatelongitudinal midpoint between the longitudinal and oppositelylongitudinal ends of pin 56J.

In use the chopsticks of FIG. 15 , the user may advantageously hold thechopsticks so that a substantially vertical extension of a line alongthe alignment channel 204 would extend across or intersect the proximalinterphalangeal joint of the index or forefinger of the user's hand.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 14 , the protuberance andchannel combinations 158, 160, 162, 164, and 166, 168 of the FIG. 14chopsticks are positioned so that properly position contacts of a user'sthumb, index, middle, and ring fingers upon the chopsticks will notcontact or meet interference against any of such combinations.Accordingly, the FIG. 14 chopsticks may be used identically with theFIG. 1 chopsticks, with none of the elastic bands 170, 172, and 174provided and utilized. In FIG. 14 's structural alternative any one ofsuch bands within any of channels 160, 164, and 168 may be utilized.Alternatively, any pair of bands among such triple of bands may beutilized within any pair of such channels.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the aboveillustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modificationsto the structure, arrangement, portions, and components of the inventionwithout departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intendedthat the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and notin the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scopecommensurate with the appended claims.

1. Training chopsticks comprising; (a) A lower chopstick having alongitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, an upper side, a lowerside, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; (b) An upperchopstick having an upper side, a lower side, a longitudinal end, anoppositely longitudinal end, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateralside; (c) At least a first arm having proximal and distal ends, saidarm's proximal end being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with thelower chopstick; (d) A longitudinally extending slide track fixedlyattached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick; and (e) Mountingmeans fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first arm'sdistal end, said means operatively engaging the longitudinally extendingslide track.
 2. The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein the at leasta first arm has a middle portion spanning between its proximal anddistal ends, said middle portion being oppositely laterally bowed. 3.The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extendingslide track comprises an at least first channel opening at a chopstickside selected from the group consisting of the upper chopstick's lowerside, the upper chopstick's upper side, the upper chopstick's lateralside, and the upper chopstick's oppositely lateral side.
 4. The trainingchopsticks of claim 3 wherein the mounting means comprise at least afirst pin having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the atleast first pin being fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the atleast first arm's distal end, the distal end of the at least first pinextending into the at least first channel.
 5. The training chopsticks ofclaim 4 wherein the mounting first pin is canted laterally at an acuteangle from a line extending from the lower chopstick to the upper chopstick.
 6. The trainining chopsticks of claim 5 wherein the acute angleis approximately 15 degrees.
 7. The training chopsticks of claim 4wherein the at least first pin has a longitudinal end having a lateralwidth, wherein said pin has an oppositely longitudinal end having alateral width, wherein said pin has a middle portion having a lateralwidth, and wherein the lateral widths of the lateral and oppositelylateral ends are less than that of the middle portion.
 8. The trainingchopsticks of claim 7 further comprising an alignment channel extendinginto and opening at the at least first pin, the alignment channel beingposition between at least first pin's longitudinal and oppositelylongitudinal ends.
 9. The training chopsticks of claim 3 furthercomprising a longitudinally facing stop fixedly attached to or formedwholly with the upper chopstick, the longitudinally facing stop beingadapted for limiting longitudinal motion of the upper chopstick withrespect to the lower chopstick.
 10. The training chopsticks of claim 9further comprising an oppositely longitudinally facing stop fixedlyattached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick, the oppositelylongitudinally facing stop being adapted for limiting oppositelylongitudinal motion of the upper chopstick with respect to the lowerchopstick.
 11. The training chopsticks of claim 10 further comprising anupwardly facing stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the atleast first pin, the upwardly facing stop being adapted for limitingupward motion of the upper chopstick with respect to the lowerchopstick.
 12. The training chopsticks of claim 11 further comprising adownwardly facing stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the atleast first pin, the downwardly facing stop being adapted for limitingdownward motion of the upper chopstick with respect to the lowerchopstick.
 13. The training chopsticks of claim 12 wherein the at leastfirst channel has oppositely longitudinal and longitudinal walls, thelongitudinally facing stop and the oppositely longitudinally facing stoprespectively comprising said walls.
 14. The training chopsticks of claim3 wherein the at least first channel has a lateral wall and anoppositely lateral wall, such walls respectively forming an oppositelylaterally extending apex and a laterally extending apex.
 15. Thetraining chopsticks of claim 3 further comprising a second channelextending into the upper chopstick, the second channel openingoppositely from the at least first channel's opening.
 16. The trainingchopsticks of claim 15 wherein the at least first and second channelscommunicate with each other.
 17. The training chopsticks of claim 16wherein the at least first pin further extends through the secondchannel.
 18. The training chopsticks of claim 17 wherein the at leastfirst and second channels present a plurality of rotation stoppingfaces, said faces engaging the at least first pin upon rotations andcounter rotations of the at least first pin about its longitudinal axis.19. The training chopsticks of claim 18 further comprising a pair oflugs fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the at least first pin,the downwardly facing stop comprising a lower side of one of said lugsand the upwardly facing stop comprising an upper side of the other ofsaid lugs.
 20. The training chopsticks of claim 1 further comprising arotation stop fixedly attached to or formed wholly with a chopstick endselected from the group consisting of the lower chopstick's oppositelylongitudinal end and the upper chopstick's oppositely longitudinal end,the rotation stop being adapted for resisting rotary motions of theupper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick.
 21. The trainingchopsticks of claim 20 further comprising a counter rotation stopfixedly attached to or formed wholly with the selected chopstick end,the counter rotation stop being adapted for resisting counter rotatingmotions of the upper chopstick with respect to the lower chopstick. 22.The training chopsticks of claim 21 further comprising a pair of arms,each arm among the pair of arms having a proximal end and a distal end,each stop among the rotation stop and the counter rotation stop beingfixedly attached to or formed wholly with one of said arms' distal ends.23. The training chopsticks of claim 1 wherein the longitudinallyextending slide track comprises at least a first ridge fixedly attachedto or formed wholly with the upper chopstick.
 24. The trainingchopsticks of claim 23 wherein the longitudinally extending slide trackcomprises a second ridge fixedly attached to or formed wholly with theupper chopstick, the second ridge extending oppositely from the at leastfirst ridge.
 25. The training chopsticks of claim 24 wherein themounting means comprise a pair of “C” brackets, each bracket among thepair of “C” brackets receiving one of the ridges among the at leastfirst ridge and the second ridge.
 26. The training chopsticks of claim 1further comprising an oppositely laterally extending protuberancefixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper chopstick, theoppositely laterally extending protuberance presenting an upwardly andoppositely laterally facing finger contact land.
 27. The trainingchopsticks of claim 26 further comprising a plurality of protuberanceand channel combinations fixedly attached to or formed wholly with theupper and lower chopsticks, and further comprising a plurality ofelastic bands, said bands being received within said combinations'channels.
 28. Training chopsticks comprising; (a) A lower chopstickhaving a longitudinal end, an oppositely longitudinal end, an upperside, a lower side, a lateral side, and an oppositely lateral side; (b)An upper chopstick having an upper side, a lower side, a longitudinalend, an oppositely longitudinal end, a lateral side, and an oppositelylateral side; (c) At least a first arm having proximal and distal ends,said arm's proximal end being fixedly attached to or formed wholly withthe lower chopstick; (d) A channel extending through the upperchopstick, wherein the distal end of the arm extends through thechannel; (e) An extraction stop fixedly attached to or wholly formedwith the at least first arm's distal end, said stop overlying the upperchopstick's upper side; and (f) An insertion stop fixedly attached to orwholly formed with the at least first arm's distal end, said stopunderlying the upper chopstick's lower side.
 29. The training chopsticksof claim 28 wherein the at least a first arm has a middle portionspanning between its proximal and distal ends, said middle portion beingoppositely laterally bowed.
 30. The training chopsticks of claim 29wherein the distal end of the at least first arm is canted laterally atan acute angle from a line extending from the lower chopstick to theupper chop stick.
 31. The training chopsticks of claim 30 wherein theacute angle is approximately 15 degrees.
 32. The training chopsticks ofclaim 31 wherein the distal end of the at least first arm has alongitudinal end having a lateral width, wherein said arm end has anoppositely longitudinal end having a lateral width, wherein said arm endhas a middle portion having a lateral width, and wherein the lateralwidths of said lateral and oppositely lateral ends are less than that ofsaid middle portion.
 33. The training chopsticks of claim 32 wherein thechannel has a lateral wall and an oppositely lateral wall, such wallsrespectively forming an oppositely laterally extending apex and alaterally extending apex.